City Council, School Board discuss ways to improve security

LAS CRUCES — There was a feeling of encouragement Tuesday from members of the Las Cruces City Council and the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education that the Las Cruces Police Department and LCPS security staff members are working well together to enhance safety at all 39 schools in the district.

But those feelings were a bit tempered with the understanding there could be a better, broader work relationship with everyone within the community.

"We need to plan for "what if,'" said Todd Gregory, director of the LCPS Safety and Security Department.

Las Cruces has been spared of school tragedies that have affected Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Conneticut; Columbine High School in Colorado and others that have made national news. Las Cruces Police Department Officer Kiri Daines said a solid working relationship between LCPD and the public schools has been forged. Now, it's time to take that a step further and get all public school stakeholders involved in proactive measures to plan and train for the possibility the unthinkable could happen at any LCPS campus.

"We do have a coordinated working relationship here," Daines said. "Our response is going to be very well communicated and coordinated.

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...I can assure you we have wonderful communication between Las Cruces police and the Las Cruces Public Schools. Mr. Gregory and I are on the phone with each other daily to discuss issues of mutual interest."

It is uncontrollable factors during a critical incident where better coordination and communication could help. Daines and Gregory told council and school board members that uncontrollable factors must be planned and prepared for in advance.

Those uncontrollable factors would include: the time of a critical incident; weather conditions; where the incident happens; and initial injuries discovered. Developing contingencies for those circumstances, and getting a broader base of support to mitigate those unexpected factors, could make a profound difference.

"If we can commit to the little things," Daines said. "...If we can do that, we'll be so far ahead of the game."

Superintendent Stan Rounds agreed.

"We're always looking at how do we build this better," Rounds said.

Council and school board members said they would support efforts to provide more training for public safety personnel. School board member Bonnie Votaw said there should also be better communication between every public school's stakeholders, including parents.

"It seems to me we need to be communicating this information generally to the community," Votaw said. "They worry about their children and that would help reduce that worry. It would also show how much planning and preparation we have in place."

Councilor Gill Sorg said he's convinced city officials should do all they can to help promote school safety and minimize public concerns.

"We need to communicate with this community as much as possible, whatever means we need to use," Sorg said. "This is our number-one priority."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6

School safety

— There are approximately 25,000 students enrolled in the Las Cruces Public Schools.